Dispensers



Oct. 24, 1967 T. o. YINGIST ETAL 3,348,737

DISPENSERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. 7, 1964 6 r r 3,348,737Unlted States Patent Cfifice Meme,

3,348,737 DISPENSERS Thomas 0. Yingst, Pevely, and Burl E. Tucker, Jr.,Festus, Mo., assignors to Universal Match Corporation, St.

Louis, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser.No. 402,229, Oct. 7, 1964.

This application May 18, 1966, Ser. No. 550,889 14 Claims. (Cl. 222-58)This invention relates to beverage dispensers, and more particulary to asystem for mixing and dispensing beverages, either carbonated ornoncarbonated beverages.

This application is a continuation of co-pending application, Ser. No.402,229, filed Oct. 7, 1964, and now abandoned.

Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provisionof an improved system of the class described adapted to hold a supply ofa beverage readymixed for dispensing, and to replenish this supply inresponse to dispensing of a quantity (a drink) of the beverage byautomatically mixing water and syrup to replenish the quantity ofbeverage dispensed; the provision of such a system adapted fordispensing carbonated and noncarbonated beverages; the provision of sucha system adapted for dispensing carbonated beverages of differentdegrees of carbonation; and the provision of such a system adapted foruse either for manual dispensing of beverages or coinoperated vending ofbeverages. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and inpart pointed out hereinafter.

7 The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafterdescribed, the scope of the invention being indicated in the followingclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possibleembodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a system of this invention;and

FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the draw- 1ngs.

Referring to the drawings, first to FIG. 1, there is generally indicatedat 1 a water carbonating unit 1, comprising a carbonator 3, a water pump5 and an electric motor 7 for driving the pump. The carbonator 3, pump 5and motor 7 are mounted on a platform 9 which is pivoted at 11 in suchmanner that the weight of the carbonator (and water therein) is broughtto bear on a double-throw control switch CS, with the arrangement suchthat when the carbonator is full of carbonated water, the switchactuator is pressed down to throw the switch on to its upper contact asshown in FIG. 2. When carbonated water in the carbonator drops below apredetermined level, the right end of the platform 9, as shown in FIG.1, swings up to release the switch actuator, effecting closure of theswitch on to its lower contact as viewed in FIG. 2. This results inoperation to bring the level of carbonated water in the carbonator backup to a predetermined level to be main tained therein, as will appear.

Tap water is supplied to the inlet of the pump 5 via a line 13 whichincludes a filter 15. A line 17 which includes a solenoid valve 19connects the outlet of the pump to the carbonator 3. The arrangement issuch that on operation of the pump and with valve 19 open, tap water ispumped into the carbonator 3. Carbon dioxide gas (CO is supplied to thecarbonator from a tank 21 via a line 23 Which includes a pressureregulator 25 and a solenoid valve 27. The CO gas mixes with the water inthe carbonator to provide carbonated water having a high carbonationfactor, i.e., water having several times its volume of CO gas .therein(i.e., high carbonated water). A line 29 extends from the carbonator toa stabilizer tank 31. This tank 31 holds a supply of high carbonatedwater for feeding the system, the supply being replenished as requiredfrom time to time by operation of the unit 1. Tank 31 is a pressuretank, and pressure of CO gas in this tank is utilized to deliver highcarbonated water therefrom through a main high carbonated water deliveryline 33 as required.

Line 33, which includes a pressure regulator 35, extends from the tank31 to a high carbonated water manifold 37. As shown in FIG. 1, twocarbonated water delivery lines CL1 and CL2 branch off from the manifold37 for delivery of carbonated water to pressure vessels or mixers M1 andM2. Each of these is adapted to hold a beverage under pressure, anddefines a closed mixing chamber or zone in which admixture of the waterand syrup may occur. As will appear, each of mixers M1 and M2 issupplied with syrup for admixture with the carbonated water suppliedthereto to form a mixed carbonated beverage. Each of lines CL1 and CL2includes a check valve 39 and a flow control valve 41. The check valveprevents back flow to the manifold, and the flow control valve providesfor a substantially constant rate of flow of carbonated water to themixer despite variations in pressure in the line upstream from the flowcontrol valve. A third beverage vessel or mixer is indicated at M3. Atap or plain water line PL, including a solenoid valve 43 and a flowcontrol valve 41, is interconnected between the outlet of pump 5 andmixer M3. A by-pass line 45 including a pressure relief valve 47interconnects line PL downstream from valve 43 back to the pump inlet.

As shown in FIG. 1, three syrup tanks 5T1, STZ and ST3, for threedifierent flavors, are provided, one for each of the respective mixersM1, M2, M3. These syrup tanks are pressurized from the CO tank 21 via aline 49 including a pressure regulator 51 and having branch connections53 to the syrup tanks. Syrup supply lines SL1, SL2 and SL3 interconnectthe syrup tanks and the respective mixers M1, M2, M3. Each of lines SL1,SL2 and SL3 includes a check valve 55 and a flow control valve 57. Eachcheck valve 55 prevents back flow in its respective line, and each flowcontrol valve 57 provides for a substantially constant rate of flow ofsyrup despite variations in the pressure differential across the flowcontrol valve.

Means is provided for adjustably bleeding plain water into thecarbonated water delivery lines CL1 and CL2 for adjusting the degree ofcarbonation of carbonated water delivered via these lines to mixers M1and M2. In this regard, it will be understood that certain drinks, suchas cola drinks, require relatively high carbonated water (e.g., waterhaving from 3.5 to 4.0 times its volume of CO gas therein) and others,such as fruit-flavored drinks, require relatively low carbonated water(e.g., water having from 2.0 to 2.5 times its volume of CO gas therein).Various high carbonated drinks may also require high carbonated waterhaving different high carbonation factors, and various low carbonateddrinks may also require low carbonated water having different lowcarbonation factors. As shown in FIG. 1, this means comprises bleederlines B1 and B2 interconnecting plain water line PL and lines CL1 andCL2, respectively, each of these bleeder lines including an adjustableneedle valve 59 and a check valve 61. By suitable adjustment of theneedle valves B1 and B2, plain water may be allowed to bleed into linesCL1 and CL2 between the check valve 39 and the flow control valve 41 inlines CL1 and CL2 at a rate such as to bring the carbonation factor ofcarbonated water delivered to mixers M1 and M2 down to a desired value.For example, if carbonated water in tank 31 and manifold .37 has acarbonation factor of 4.2, the needle valve in bleeder B1 may beadjusted to bleed plain water into line CL1 at a relatively low ratesuch as to bring the carbonation factor of the carbonated waterdelivered to mixer M1 down to 3.5, and the needle valve in bleeder B2may be adjusted to bleed plain water into line CL2 at a relatively highrate such as to bring the carbonation factor of water delivered to mixerM2 down to 2.0.

Extending from the outlets of mixers M1, M2 and M3 are beverage deliverylines BLl, BL2 and BL3. As shown in FIG. 1, lines BL1, BL2 and BL3terminate at dispensing valves D1, D2, D3, each having a nozzle 63 fordelivering the beverage dispensed on opening thereof into a cupindicated at C. Valves D1, D2 andD3rnay be manually operated in the caseof a manual beverage dispenser, or may be electrically operated in thecase of a coin-operated beverage vendor. They are herein described asmanually operated valves for purposes of illustration.

The beverage delivery lines BLl, BL2 and BL3 pass through a cooling tank65 for cooling the beverages therein. This tank 65 may be a conventionalsweet-water bath, containing a cooling coil which freezes water in thetank into a block of ice. Other suitable cooling means may be providedfor cooling the beverages between the mixers and the dispensing valves.

Referring now to FIG. 2, dispensing valves D1, D2 and D3 are shown tocontrol three double-throw switches S1, S2 and S3, each having a bladenormally closed on an upper contact when the respective valve D1, D2 orD3 is closed, and moving on to a lower contact when the respective valveD1, D2 or D3 is opened for the dispensing of a beverage. These switcheshave their upper contacts interconnected in series across electric powersupply lines L1 and L2 with thepump outlet solenoid valve 19 asindicated at 67, the arrangement being such that valve 19 is energizedand open when all three switches are closed on their upper contacts.(i.e., when all of valves D1-D3 are closed). When any switch S1, S2 orS3 is thrown on its lower contact upon opening the respective dispensingvalve D1, D2 or D3, valve 19 is deenergized and closes.

Switches S1, S2, S3 have their lower contacts interconnected in seriesacross lines L1 and L2 as indicated at 69 with the plain water valve 43so that, whenever any switch S1, S2 or S3 is thrown on its lower contactupon opening the respective dispensing valve D1, D2 or D3, valve 43 isenergized to open. Motor 7 and the CO valve 27 are interconnected withthe lower contacts of switches S1, S2 and S3 and the upper contact ofswitch CS as indicated at 71 in such manner that, wheneverany switch S1,S2 or S3 is thrown on its lower contact, and switch CS is closed on itsupper contact, motor 7 is energized and valve 27 is energized to open.The lower contact of switch CS is connected to line L1 as indicated at73 so that, whenever switch CS is closed on its lower contact, motor 7and valve 27 are energized, but neither valve 19 nor valve 43 isenergized.

Operation is as follows:

It will be understood that in normal operation of the dispensing system,there will be a ready-mixed supply of carbonated beverage of a firstflavor standing under pressure in mixer M1 and in line BL1 from mixer M1to dispensing valve D1. There will be a ready-mixed supply of carbonatedbeverage of a second flavor standing under pressure in mixer M2 and inline BL2 from mixer M2 to dispensing valve D2. There will be aready-mixed supply of uncarbonated beverage standing in mixer M3 and inline BL3 from mixer M3 to dispensing valve D3.

When dispensing valve D1 is opened for dispensing a carbonated drink ofthe first flavor into a cup at C, switch S1 is thrown onto its lowercontact. This results in deenergization of valve 19 to close it. It alsoresults in energization of the plain water valve 43 to open it. Assumingthat carbonator 3 is full of carbonated water and switch CS is closed onits upper contact, the stated actuation of switch S1 also results inenergization of motor 7 to drive the pump and energization of CO valve27 to open it. With valve 19 closed, valve ,43 open, and valve D3closed, plain water in line PL is put under pressure and plain waterdelivered by the pump is recirculated through the pump via by-pass line45, except for such small amount as may bleed through bleeder line B1.Pressure of CO in tank 31 drives carbonated water out of tank 31 throughline 33, manifold 37 and through line CL1 into the mixer M1 and forcesthe ready-mixed beverage of the first flavor out through line BLl andvalve D1 intothe cup until valve D1 is closed when the cup has beenfilled. Carbonated water in amount corresponding to that dispensed intothe cup is supplied to mixer M1 to makeup for the amount dispensed.Syrup of the first flavor is delivered from syrup tank ST1 into themixer M1 via line SL1 to mix with the incoming carbonated water fromline CL1 in themixing zone provided by the mixer M1, thereby toreplenish the amount of beverage of the first flavor which is dispensed.The syrup is delivered from tank ST1 on account of the drop in pressurein syrup line SL1 which occurs on opening of dispensing valve D1.,enabling CO pressure in tank ST1 to force syrup out of this tank. Flowcontrol valve 57 in syrup line SL1 provides for flow of the syrup at theappropriate rate in order to deliver the amount of syrup needed inproportion to the amount of carbonated water. As carbonated water flowsthrough line CL1 to the mixer M1, plain water bleeds into line CL1 viathe needle valve 59 in bleeder line B1 at a rate dependent on thesetting of this needle valve, so that carbonated water with the desiredcarbonation factor is delivered to the mixer M1.

Upon closing of dispenser valve D1 when the cup C has been filled,switch S1 closes back on itsupper contact, to reopen valve 19. Valve 43is deenergized and recloses. If switch CS is closed on its uppercontact, meaning that thereis no demand for water from carbonator 3,motor 7 is deenergized, and valve 27 is deenergized and closes. If,however, there is a demand for water from carbonator 3, switch CS willbe closed on its lower contact. Under these circumstatnces motor 7 willremain energized to continue driving the pump 5, and valve 27 willremain energized and open. The pump 5 will then deliver water throughline 17 (valve 19 being open) to the carbonator 3, and CO gas will bedelivered to the carbonator from tank 21 via line 23 (valve 27 beingopen) until the carbonator 3 is full, whereupon switch CS closes on itsupper contact to cut off the motor and close valve 27.

When dispensing valve D2 is opened for dispensing a carbonated drink ofthe second flavor into a cup at C, switch S2 is thrown onto its lowercontact. As before, this results in deenergization of valve 19 to closeit and energization of valve 43 to open it. Assuming switch CS is closedon its upper contact (carbonator 3 full), motor 7 is energized to drivethe pump 5 and valve 27 is energized to open. Plain water in line PL ispressurized. Carbonated water is driven out of tank 31 and through lineCL2 into the mixer M2 'and forces the ready-mixed beverage of the secondflavor out through line BL2 and valve D2 into the cup until valve D2 isclosed. Carbonated water in amount corresponding to that dispensed intothe cup is supplied to mixer M2 to make up for the amount dispensed.Syrup of the second flavor is delivered from syrup tank ST2 into themixer M2 via line SL2 to mix with incoming carbonated water from lineCL2 in the mixing zone provided by the mixer M2, thereby to replenishthe amount of beverage of the second flavor which is dis pensed. Thesyrup is delivered from tank ST2 on account of the drop in pressure insyrup line SL2 which occurs on opening of dispensing valve D2, enablingCO pressure in tank ST2 to force syrup out of this tank. Flow controlvalve 57 in syrup line SL2 provides for flow of the syrup at theappropriate rate for delivering the amount of syrup needed in proportionto the amount of carbonated water. As carbonated water flows throughline CL2 to the mixer M2, plain water bleeds into line CL2 via theneedle valve 59 in bleeder line B2 at a rate dependent on the setting ofthe needle valve, so that carbonated water of the desired carbonationfactor is delivered to the mixer M2.

Upon closing of dispenser valve D2, switch S2 closes back on its uppercontact, thereby opening valve 19 and closing valve 43. If there is nodemand for Water from carbonator 3, motor 7 stops and valve 27 closes.If there is a demand, motor 7 remains in operation and valve 27 remainsopen until the demand is satisfied, as above described.

When dispensing valve D3 is opened for dispensing a noncarbonated drinkof the third flavor into a cup at C, switch S3 is thrown onto its lowercontact. As before, this results in deenergization of valve 19 to closeit and energization of valve 43 to open it. Assuming switch CS is closedon its upper contact (carbonator 3 full), motor 7 is energized to drivethe pump 5 and valve 27 is energized to open. The pump 5 thereupon pumpsplain water through line PL tothe mixer M3, and this forces theready-mixed noncarbonated beverage of the third flavor out through lineBL3 and valve D3 into the cup until valve D3 is closed. Plain water inamount corresponding to that dispensed into the cup is supplied to mixerM3 to make up for the amount dispensed. Syrup of the third flavor isdelivered from syrup tank ST3 into the mixer M3 via line SL3 to mix withincoming plain water from line PL in the mixing zone provided by mixerM3, thereby to replenish the amount of noncarbonated beverage of thethird flavor which is dispensed. The syrup is delivered from tank ST3 onaccount of the drop in pressure in syrup line SL3 which occurs onopening of dispensing valve D3, enabling CO pressure in tank ST3 toforce syrup out of the tank. Flow control valve 57 in syrup line SL3provides for flow of the syrup at the appropriate rate for deliveringthe amount of syrup needed in proportion to the amount of plain water.

Upon closing of dispenser valve D3, switch S3 closes back on its uppercontact, thereby opening valve 19 and closing valve 43. There should beno demand at this time for water from carbonator 3, and hence motor 7stops and valve 27 closes.

It will be understood that the disclosure herein of the system withprovision for dispensing of two carbonated beverage-s and onenoncarbonated beverage is by way of example only. It may be adapted fordispensing any number of beverages (within practical limits). Forexample, it may be augmented to dispense more than two carbonatedbeverages by the addition of carbonated water lines extending from themanifold 37 to additional mix rs of the same type as used at M1, M2 andM3, and With beverage lines extending from the added mixers toadditional dispensing valves, and additional syrup tanks. It will alsobe understood that the system is adapted for use in the coin-operatedvending of beverages by providing for electric actuation of thedispensing valves under coin control, and timing the interval of openingeach dispensing valve to dispense a cup of the beverage.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for mixing water and syrup to constitute a beverage and fordispensing the beverage comprising means for holding a supply of thebeverage under pressure, a dispensing valve interconnected with saidbeverage holding means adapted on opening for dispensing of beveragefrom said beverage holding means, and means for supplying water andsyrup from respective sources thereof under pressure to said beverageholding means comprising a line for delivering water from the source ofWater under pressure to said beverage holding means on opening saidvalve, said water delivery line being in constant communication withsaid beverage holding means and having a flow control therein providingfor a substantially constant rate of flow of water to said beverageholding means despite variations in pressure differential across saidflow control, and a line for delivering syrup from the source of syrupunder pressure to said beverage holding means on opening said valve,said syrup delivery line being in constant communication with saidbeverage holding means and having a flow control therein providing for asubstantially constant rate of flow of syrup to said beverage holdingmeans in a predetermined proportion to the rate of flow of Water to saidbeverage holding means despite variations in pressure differentialacross said syrup flow control, whereby the beverage in said beverageholding means is constantly pressurized for dispensing thereof onopening said valve and for replenishing said beverage holding means withWater and a proportionate amount of syrup with the total amount of waterand syrup corresponding to the amount of beverage dispensed, the waterand syrup supplied to said beverage holding means on dispensing of thebeverage mixing in said beverage holding means to constitute beverage inamount corresponding to that dispensed.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said beverage holding meanscomprises a mixer in which water and syrup may mix to constitute thebeverage, said water delivery line and said syrup delivery line beingconnected to said mixer and in constant communication therewith, and abeverage delivery line extending from said mixer, said dispensing valvebeing in said beverage delivery line downstream from said mixer, saidsystem including a cooler, and said beverage delivery line between saidmixer and said dispensing valve extending through the cooler.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1 having a carbonator, said waterdelivery line being a carbonated water delivery line interconnected withsaid carbonator for supplying carbonated water to said beverage holdingmeans for mixing a carbonated beverage.

4. A system as set forth in claim 3 having adjustable means forintroducing plain water from a source thereof into the carbonated waterdelivery line.

5. A system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said adjustable means isconnected to deliver plain water into said carbonated water deliveryline upstream from the flow control in said water delivery line.

6. A beverage mixing and dispensing system comprising a cooler, aplurality of beverage delivery lines extending through the cooler, aplurality of dispensing valves, one for each of said beverage lines,downstream from the cooler, a plurality of water delivery lines, one foreach beverage delivery line, each in constant communication from asource of water under pressure to a respective beverage delivery lineupstream from the dispensing valve in the latter and each having a flowcontrol therein providing for a substantially constant rate of flow ofwater to the respective beverage delivery line despite variations inpressure differential across said flow control, a plurality of sourcesof syrup under pressure, one for each beverage delivery line, and aplurality of syrup lines interconnecting the respective syrup sources tothe respective beverage delivery lines upstream from the dispensingvalves, each syrup line being in constant communication with therespective beverage delivery line and having a flow control thereinproviding for a substantially constant rate of flow of syrup to therespective beverage delivery line in a predetermined proportion to therate of flow of water to the respective beverage delivery line despitevariations in pressure differential across said syrup flow control, atleast one of said water delivery lines being a carbonated water linesupplied with carbonated water under pressure from a source thereof, atleast one of said Water delivery lines being a plain water line suppliedwith plain water under pressure from a source thereof, and means forintroducing plain water from said plain water line into said carbonatedwater line.

7. A beverage mixing and dispensing system comprising a plurality ofmixers in each of which water and syrup may mix to constitute a beverageand each adapted to hold a beverage under pressure, a plurality ofbeverage delivery lines, one for each mixer, each extending from arespective mixer, a plurality of dispensing valves, one for each of saidlines, a plurality of water lines, one for each mixer, each forsupplying water under pressure to a respective mixer, a plurality ofsources of syrup under pressure, one for each mixer, and a plurality ofsyrup lines interconnecting the syrup sources to the respective mixers,beverage being dispensed from any mixer on opening of the respectivedispensing valve by pressure thereon from the respective water and syruplines, and water and syrup being supplied via said lines to said mixerfor replenishing said mixer with water and syrup in amount correspondingto the amount of beverage dispensed, the water and syrup supplied tosaid mixer mixing therein to constitute beverage in amount correspondingto that dispensed, at least one of said water lines being a carbonatedwater line and at least one of said water lines being a plain Waterline, and means for bleeding plain water from the plain water line intothe carbonated water line.

8. A beverage mixing and dispensing system comprising a pressure vesselfor holding a supply of carbonated water, a carbonator, a pump havingits inlet connected to a source of tap water, a motor for driving thepump, a pump delivery line interconnecting the outlet of the pump andthe carbonator and having a valve therein, a line interconnecting thecarbonator and said pressure vessel, a source of carbon dioxide gasunder pressure, a gas line interconnecting said gas source and thecarbonator and having a valve therein, a plurality of mixers forcarbonated beverages, a plurality of carbonated water lines suppliedwith carbonated water under pressure from said pressure vessel and eachconnected to a respective mixer, a plurality of syrup containers eachadapted to hold syrup under pressure, a plurality of syrup lines eachsupplied with syrup from a respective syrup container and each connectedto a respective mixer, means for pres surizing syrup in said containersby means of gas from said gas source, a plurality of beverage deliverylines, one extending from each mixer, and a dispensing valve for each ofsaid lines, a recirculation by-pass for the pump, means for energizingthe motor to drive the pump,

closing the valve in the pump delivery line and opening the valve in thegas line on opening any of said dispensing valves, water delivered bythe pump then being recirculated through the pump via said by-pass, andmeans responsive to demand for carbonated water from the carbonator. forcontinuing the motor in operation, opening the valve in the pumpdelivery line and maintaining the valve in the gas line open until thedemand is satisfied.

9. Abeverage mixing and dispensing system comprising a pressure vesselfor holding a supply of carbonated water under pressure, a carbonator, apump having its inlet connected to a source of tap water, a lineinterconnecting the outlet of the pump and the carbonator and having avalve therein, a line interconnecting the carbonator and said pressurevessel, a source of carbon dioxide gas under pres-- sure, a lineinterconnecting said gas source and the carbonator and having a valvetherein, a first mixer for a carbonated beverage, a second mixer for anoncarbonated beverage, a carbonated water line interconnecting saidpressure vessel and the first mixer, a plain water line interconnectingthe pump outlet and the second mixer and having a valve therein, a firsttank for holding a first syrup under pressure, a first syrup lineinterconnecting said first syrup tank and said first mixer, a secondtank for holding a second syrup under pressure, a second syrup lineinterconnecting said second syrup tank and said second mixer,

means for pressurizing syrup in said tanks by means of gas from said gassource, a first beverage delivery line extend ing from said first mixer,a first dispensing valve for said first beverage delivery line, a secondbeveragedelivery line extending from said second mixer, and a seconddispensing valve for the second beverage delivery line, and means forbleeding plain water from said plain water line into said carbonatedwater line.

10. A beverage mixing and dispensingsystem comprising a pressure vesselfor holding a supply of, carbonated water under pressure, a carbonator,a pump having its inlet connected to a source of tap water, a lineinterconnecting the outlet of the pump andthe carbonator and having avalve therein, a line interconnecting the carbonator and said pressurevessel, a source of carbon dioxide gas under pressure, a lineinterconnecting said gas source and the carbonator and having a valvetherein, a first mixer for a carbonated beverage, a second mixer for anoncarbonated beverage, a carbonated water line interconnecting saidpressure vessel and the first mixer, a plain water line interconnectingthe pump outlet and thesecond mixer and having a valve therein, a firsttank for holding a first syrup underpressure, a first syrup lineinterconnecting said first syrup tank and said first mixer, a secondtank for holding a second syrup under pressure, a second syrup lineinterconnecting said second syrup tank and said second mixer,

means for pressurizing syrup in said tanks by means of gas from said gassource, a first beverage delivery line extending from said first mixer,a first dispensing valve for said first beverage delivery line, a secondbeverage delivery line extending from said second mixer, and a seconddispensing valve for the second beverage delivery line, a recirculationby-pass for the pump, means for energizing the motor to drive the pump,closing the valve in the pump delivery line and opening the valve in thegas line on opening any of said dispensing valves, water delivered bythe pump then being recirculated through the pump via said by-pass, andmeans responsive to demand for carbonated Water from the carbonator forcontinuing the motor in operation, opening the valve in the pumpdelivery line and maintaining the valve in the gas line open until thedemand is satisfied.

11. A beverage mixing and dispensing system comprising a cooler, aplurality of beverage delivery lines extending through the cooler, aplurality of dispensing valves, one for each of said beverage lines,downstream from the cooler, a plurality of water delivery lines, one foreach beverage delivery line, each in constant communication from asource of water under pressure to a respective beverage delivery lineupstream from the dispensing valve in the latter, a plurality of sourcesof syrup under pressure, one for each beverage delivery line, and aplurality of syrup lines interconnecting the respective syrup sources tothe respective beverage delivery lines upstream from the dispensingvalves, each syrup line being in constant communciation with therespective beverage delivery line, at least one of said water deliverylines being a high carbonated water line supplied with high carbonatedwater under pressure from a source thereof, and at least one of saidwater delivery lines being a low carbonated water line supplied withhigh carbonated water under pressure from said source thereof and withplain water from a source thereof.

12. A beverage mixing and dispensing system comprising a plurality ofmixers in each of which water and syrup may mix to constitute a beverageand each adapted to hold a beverage under pressure, a plurality ofbeverage delivery lines, one for each mixer, each extending from arespective unixer, a plurality of dispensing valves, one 1 therespective dispensing valve by pressure thereon from the respectivewater and syrup lines, and water and syrup being supplied via said linesto said mixer for replenishing said mixer with water and syrup in amountcorresponding to the amount of beverage dispensed, the water and syrupsupplied to said mixer mixing therein to constitute beverage in amountcorresponding to that dispensed, at least one of said water lines beinga high carbonated water line for supplying high carbonated water from asource thereof to the respective mixer, and at least one of said Waterlines being a low carbonated water line for supplying low carbonatedwater to the respective mixer, and means for supplying low carbonatedwater to said low carbonated water line comprising a 'high carbonatedwater line connected to said source of high carbonated water, a plainwater line, and means for blending plain water from said plain waterline with high carbonated water from said last-mentioned high carbonatedwater line.

13. A system for mixing water and syrup to constitute a beverage and fordispensing the beverage comprising means for holding a supply of thebeverage under pressure, a dispensing valve interconnected with saidbeverage holding means adapted on opening for dispensing of beveragefrom said beverage holding means, and means for supplying water andsyrup from respective sources thereof under pressure to said beverageholding means comprising a line for delivering water from the source ofwater under pressure to said beverage holding means on opening saidvalve, said water delivery line being in constant communication withsaid beverage holding means, and a line for delivering syrup from thesource of syrup under pressure to said beverage holding means on openingsaid valve, said syrup delivery line being in constant come municationwith said beverage holding means, whereby the beverage in said beverageholding means is constantly pressurized for dispensing thereof onopening said valve and for replenishing said beverage holding means withwater and syrup with the total amount of water and syrup correspondingto the amount of beverage dispensed, the water and syrup supplied tosaid beverage holding means on dispensing of the beverage mixing in saidbeverage holding means to constitute beverage in amount corresponding tothat dispensed, said beverage holding means comprising a mixer in whichwater and syrup may mix to constitute the beverage, said water deliveryline and said syrup delivery line being connected to said mixer and inconstant communication therewith, and a beverage delivery line extendingfrom said mixer, said dispensing valve being in said beverage deliveryline downstream from said mixer, said system including a cooler, andsaid beverage delivery line between said mixer and said dispensing valveextending through the cooler.

14. A system for mixing water and syrup to constitute a beverage and fordispensing the beverage comprising means for holding a supply of thebeverage under pressure, a dispensing valve interconnected with saidbeverage holding means adapted on opening for dispensing of beveragefrom said beverage holding means, and means for supplying water andsyrup from respective sources thereof under pressure to said beverageholding means comprising a line for delivering water from the source ofwater under pressure to said beverage holding means on opening saidvalve, said water delivery line being in constant communication withsaid beverage holding means, and a line for delivering syrup from thesource of syrup under pressure to said beverage holding means on openingsaid valve, said syrup delivery line being in constant communicationwith said beverage holding means, whereby the beverage in said beverageholding means is constantly pressurized for dispensing thereof onopening said valve and for replenishing said beverage holding means withwater and syrup with the total amount of water and syrup correspondingto the amount of beverage dispensed, the water and syrup supplied tosaid beverage holding means on dispensing of the beverage mixing in saidbeverage holding means to constitute beverage in amount corresponding tothat dispensed, at least one of said lines having a flow control thereinproviding for a substantially constant rate of flow therethrough despitevariations in pressure across said flow control.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 682,653 9/1901 Walker 137-606 X1,335,093 3/1920 Copetta. 1,696,738 12/1928 Stedwell 222-318 X 2,207,7617/ 1940 Sayles. 2,327,432 8/1943 Johnson 222129.1 2,337,783 12/1943Thompson et al. 2,674,263 4/1954 Rupp et al 222129.1 X 2,718,982 9/1955Long 22258 2,750,076 6/1956 Welty et a1. 222--l29.1 2,776,074 1/ 1957St. Laurence ZZZ-129.4 X 2,778,534 1/1957 Ramsey 222129.4 2,819,7231/1958 Meyer 222 X 2,828,889 4/1958 Joshko 22244294 X 2,978,143 4/1961Arnett et al. 222129.1 X 3,093,267 6/ 1963 Lowery 222133 X 3,095,1216/1963 Douty et al 222-52 3,113,698 12/1963 Abplanalp 222145 X 3,186,2346/1965 Solnick et al 222133 X 3,195,776 7/1965 Helm et al 222-633,215,312 11/1965 Guzzi 222129.1

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

7. A BEVERAGE MIXING AND DISPENSING SYSTEM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OFMIXERS IN EACH OF WHICH WATER AND SYRUP MAY MIX TO CONSTITUTE A BEVERAGEAND EACH ADAPTED TO HOLD A BEVERAGE UNDER PRESSURE, A PLURALITY OFBEVERAGE DELIVERY LINES, ONE FOR EACH MIXER, EACH EXTENDING FROM ARESPECTIVE MIXER, A PLURALITY OF DISPENSING VALVES, ONE FOR EACH OF SAIDLINES, A PLURALITY OF WATER LINES, ONE FOR EACH MIXER, EACH FORSUPPLYING WATER UNDER PRESSURE TO A RESPECTIVE MIXER, A PLURALITY OFSOURCES OF SYRUP UNDER PRESSURE, ONE FOR EACH MIXER, AND A PLURALITY OFSYRUP LINES INTERCONNECTING THE SYRUP SOURCES TO THE RESPECTIVE MIXERS,BEVERAGE BEING DISPENSED FROM ANY MIXER ON OPENING OF THE RESPECTIVEDISPENSING VALVE BY PRESSURE THEREON FROM THE RESPECTIVE WATER AND SYRUPLINES, AND WATER AND SYRUP BEING SUPPLIED VIA SAID LINES TO SAID MIXERFOR REPLENISHING SAID MIXER WITH WATER AND SYRUP IN AMOUNT CORRESPONDINGTO THE AMOUNT OF BEVERAGE DISPENSED, THE WATER AND SYRUP SUPPLIED TOSAID MIXER MIXING THEREIN TO CONSTITUTE BEVERAGE IN AMOUNT CORRESPONDINGTO THAT DISPENSED, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID WATER LINES BEING A CARBONATEDWATER LINE AND AT LEAST ONE OF SAID WATER LINES BEING A PLAIN WATERLINE, AND MEANS FOR BLEEDING PLAIN WATER FROM THE PLAIN WATER LINE INTOTHE CARBONATED WATER LINE.